Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-03-24
WITHIN THE CITY,S WALLS
A GLANOE AT THE BALrIM0RK &
PHILADELPHIA ROAD, 9E
Plans Ready for n EAnndsOme New
Station at Watcr aud Markes
Streets -DstH.t. ,.s SIS Dimensions
aud Stl q. s,I AZ. Ut. calare.

| II 10 still novel sipbt 10 N. avs-ngs VIII
| minRtonian 10 sos Il 4 q camel. backed
engine come steamius oy,.r lnids In the
| western part OF ihe CITY. which only few
months ago We're vaFdant pastures. OF
course, every one knows that the Baltimore
X Onio railroad runs through this city, but
| few seem to realize the fact that the im-
mense Baltimore Il Ohio system, with its
10000 or more miles OF improved tracks, is
at our very DOORS and that six local aud
express trains with all their accompanying
stir and hustle arrive and depart each way
daily to and from the new Delaware avenue
station. Any one who has not taken the
new route to Philadelphia would be amply
repaid for his trouble by seeing new sights
and scenes. the knowledge OF which Is un-
dreamt Of to the veteran traveller on the p,
W. d B. railroad, where he Is familiar with
every view and scene, even the fence-posts
along theline. Boarding one Of these trains
at the Delaware avenue station, the CHEEKY
cry Of the conductor "All aboard for Chester
and Philadelphia" Is Immediately followed
by the departure Of the train. It nosaR
slowly at first for severG ss-aer
past familiar scenes until the
valley of the Brandywine breaks -
view as you go whlrling along l0s.- Il
above the water. All necks arc craned to
catch as much OF this scene ns possible It
is certainly the grandest view in this Sec
tion OF the country. After leaving the Bran
dywlne, the train moves rapidly through
the undulating country OF Brandywine hun
dred, occasionally fitting by little white-
washed farmhouse, neat barn or some
pretty cedar woods. The country between
this city and Chester is, however, sparsely
settled as yet. Arriving at Silver Side,
about 81 miles from this city, "a beautl-
ful view OF the Delaware can be obtained
from the knoll Of hill over 100 feet above
unique and tasteful little stations along the
entire route, which compare favorably
with those of Its older competitor, At Ohea-
ter large brick structure, with the numer-
ous gable ends and slanting roofs, 80 char
acteristlc of Mr.. Furness, the architect, has
been built, while at Darby, Upland, FELTON,.
Holmes, Ridley, Knowiton, Oollingdale and
the other ten stations, tasteful buildings OF
brick or wood, or combinations OF both,
have been built. At Folsom, 81 miles from
Phtladelphia, named after Mrs. Cleveland,
a Philadelphia improvement company has
laid out quite large town In
lots which they are selling for
building purposes, and Offering special
tndueement OF an annual pass free to every
purchaser. After leaving Darby the road
passes through q tunnel and then crosses
the Il, w. d b. railroad Just beyond Fifty
eighth street. The Schuylkill is crossed be-
low the old Gray's Ferry bridge, and after
sktrtlng along the wharyes Of the Schuyl-
Kill the traveller Is landed ct Twenty-fourth
and Walnut streets In just 40 minutes. With
the aid of Chestnut street car and five-
cent piece he or she can walk Into Wanna
makers store ten minutes later. The road
bed OF the new branch, under the supervi-
sion OF Roadmaster W. A. Pratt, has been
brought to high state Of improvement In
so short a time, and considering the rough
weather of the past wiRter. The cars ride
smoothly and the journey Is pleasant. 1t is
douhle-tracked all the way from Philadel-
phia to this city, and stone-ballasted, and
within few weeks, Mr.. Pratt promises to
make riding as smooth as 1t can be made
He will begin operations of continuing the
double track to Baltimore next week, and
100 laborers will start work at each end The
double-track now extends from three to
four miles out of Wilmington and 13 miles
out from Baltimore, thus leaving about so
miles yet to build. The new Della
ware avenue station Is receiving its
finishing touches and Will be open to the
travelling public In about two weeks. II
Is unique and expensive, though not an
impressive, structure. From the railroad
It looks like one-story structure, but
the traveller will not only find 1t roomy
but convenient. The broad stone steps, by
which one aseends to the train, to the top,
sweeping view over the surrounding
country. The tieket-offica is Just at the in
tersection OF Delaware avenue and DUPONT
street. The waiting-rooms are now being
finished and handsome granite curb and
pavement are being laid. In Philadelphia
station, at Twenty-fourth and Chestnut
streets, next week. II will be large
structure, with the main entrance on
Chestnut street, from which descent is
made to the railroad below. Plans have
also been prepared and approved for a
handsome new station at the southwest
corner Of Water and Market streets, In
This city, and work will be begun within
. few weeks. 1t is to be two-story
brick structure OF the Queen Anne, but,
ytx,sr el.a a. os..l
u architecture. Mr.. Furness, the
Philadelphia architect who made the plans
or all OF the b. d P. stations, with one or
wo exceptions, has embodied in the pro-
posed new building his novel feature Of
numerous and steep gables and long slant
ng roofs covered with colored slate, The
proposed structure will be so feet long on
y Nater street and about 80 feet deep on
darket street. The front will beSon Water
treet and will be surrounded by a 6-foot
platform or porch which widens consider
Lbly about the baggage room. The BUILDING
VIII De built OF red pressed brick with
oints OF black mortar, and will be inter
persed with granite pillars. The exterior
y the Market street end will be finished
With fancy briekwork. The ticket office
Vill be semi-circular alcove at the inter
ection OF the two streets similar TO the
me ut the Delaware avenue station,
'he ladies' waiting room, 1sI by II
set In oxtent, will have its entrance
- HAhot ItAOOb anu Wy u Dttth uDOT VIII
onneet with the mems waiting room, 26xIs
eet, tho main entrance of which will be
N Water street. An alcove back of these
ooms gives entrance to toilet rooms. Be-
ond the mems waiting room will be a
args baggage room 291 by 131 feet, and
aek of this will be one-story building
or tbs boiler and coal. The first floor
ooms will all be about IS feet high. be
ween the mons waiting-room and tho
aggage-room hallway gives access to the
oor above, by means of wide steps. where
mere are five large roomy offices, which
I'LL bs occupied by the freight agents md
Jerks in this city. The new building will
9 the main office of the company, as the
delaware avenue station has no offices. No
Important official or section superintendent
1tll be stationed here, but all will have
heir head quarters In Philadelphia. The
ew building will he pushed to completion
s rapidly as possible, and all local trains
I'LL leave from that point as at present.
----s-O-S
GOING FOR RAILROAD PASSES.